Heat is a natural Vasodialater causing Vasodialation

[socrates2k1]

Q?  Have any of you "heard or been told" that Heat is a natural Vasodialater?
I went with my wife, to see her heart doctor this week, and his nurse was explaining about blood pressure and B/P medicines.  She told us that "heat" was a natural Vasodialater, causing Vasodialation, meaning the lowering of your blood pressure.  She told us that many people, who take B/P medicine, can actually lower their daily dosage during the Summer, because the heat lowers their B/P.

So, I thought about that, and considering when I walk outside, the heat (combined with the humidity) immediately have an effect on me.  I have an immediate reaction, I find it more difficult to breathe and my "fatigue factor" jumps through the roof.

What are your thoughts on this?

-- Socrates

[BOK2Bjan]

There is truth to all the comments made.  I have vasospastic disorders - both Raynauds and Erythromelalgia.  I also have had high blood pressure and been on meds for it.  When our bodies heat up, we sweat, losing volume in our blood vessels, which can lower our pressure - the vessels near the surface dilate and water is released through our sweat glands.  Anytime you lower the volume of blood, plasma, etc. flowing through your vessels, your pressure will be lowered, and you'll feel fatigue, dizziness, etc.  

The problem with all of this is that depending on physical fitness, your heart may speed up, causing other issues.  The best thing you can do is to pay attention to your body and if you've been in the heat for a time and feel sluggish - take your BP and respond appropriately.  You don't want to take meds to lower pressure that is already low.  But you also don't want to assume you know what is going on.  So - test, test, test.  I tell my mother, who is on meds now - I am not right now - to not take hers when she feels weak and dizzy, but first take her BP and make sure it isn't low.  Often it is and she doesn't take her meds.

BUT please don't do anything against your doctor's advice and always check your BP before adjusting meds.  We do have the ability to regulate many of our own care when we pay attention to our symptoms and measure our vitals.

Blessings, Jan

[rhender]

I am 64 woman and  exercise inside about an hr a day.  On lisonopril 20mg for blood pressure.  However when i cut the yard in the summer, my pressure drops BIG time.  I have to sit and rest before I can finish. Today it was 88. over 55. Does not make any sense to me.  I  did not take the blood pressure meds and was hoping every thing would be okay. May need someone to cut my yard. Wish like helll I knew the reason for this.  I drink plenty of water while I am outside.

[twopack]

Heat does vasodilate.  That is why your skin gets pink under a heating pad.  The vessels dilate and come closer to the surface.

Sudden system wide vasodilatation could certainly bring down the BP but the hear rate usually increases to compensate for the lack of blood volume to support it.  There is usually then a counter mechanism to vasoconstrict again or otherwise bring the body back into it's comfortable balance.

I think this idea is better in theory than it is in practice.  There are too many variables involved in the process that maintains blood pressure to make this a reliable cause and effect relationship.  I've never known anyone who had seasonal changes of dosage for their blood pressure medicine.

Mary

[jensequitur]

I've always heard that high blood pressure puts you at risk on hot days.  I know that people with high BP have more of a risk of heat stroke.  So I would NOT cut down on your BP meds during the summer, and be sure to stay cool and hydrated.

I have low blood pressure, but my respiration does get more difficult when I'm overheated, and I get really tired afterwards.  This is almost certainly due to being heat intolerant because of the MS.

[Lulu54]

I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around this concept.  My first instinct would be that heat would cause an increase in BP because of the stress on our systems.  But as you know, I am no medical expert on anything.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

-Lulu

[socrates2k1]

bump up please